Bonjour tout le mooned! (Hello everyone!) This story is a collaboration between myself and an old friend of mine. We wrote this like…two years ago and decided either post on fanfic or throw it away. So here's chapter one.

Warnings (for the rest of the story): not BETA'd, slight cursing, intimate…scenes, tea leaves, Momo and Sokka issues, Momo armed with tea… yea. That should cover it!

Disclaimer: haha, had we owned Avatar: The Last Airbender, shit would have gotten real.

There is one island that is declared neutral ground between all nations. It thrives with life and has no faults. The ground is gracious enough to supply the minerals needed for plants. The breeze that floats off the cool and calm surface of the ocean that surrounds it completely never changes year round. The small hot spring in the middle of the island always the perfect temperature thanks to the hot and fierce lava that runs beneath the island. It was paradise to all the animals and it would be to any human who would live there. The reason for such peace? No one knew of the island. It was not on the map, and it was out of the way for any traveler on a boat. The animals lived on this island with a relative calm amongst themselves.

That was until a group of four on a flying bison and one flying lemur landed on the shores, while on the other side of the island a boy and an elderly man washed up. The island knew what was to come, the animals fled in fright as one's stomach growled, the trees shied away as the lemur looked their way. The island simply watched as its new guests began to figure things out for themselves.

Katara's POV

"Where are we?" I gasped as I look around from my spot on Appa's saddle. The place that we just landed at was amazing. It glowed with how much life it held, and it doesn't even look like it's being lived in by any humans. Just the place we needed to rest in. I slid off the saddle and helped Toph down as well. When her feet touched the ground she sighed in relief.

"Thanks Sugar queen." I smiled back even though I knew she couldn't see me, I still did. Toph walked over to an empty spot and began making sand angels like it was a normal thing to do. I rolled my eyes and turned to watch Sokka.

"Finally we landed! I don't think I could take another second of Momo pulling my hair!" he exclaimed throwing his hands in the air as he tied his hair back. I snickered behind my hand, but couldn't hold it in when he turned to me. "It's not funny Katara! How about we let him play with your hair next time huh! And-" His rant was stopped when his stomach growled.

"How about we look for some food first Sokka?" I offered pointing to the woods that were off to the right of us.

"That's a great idea! Come on Aang!" he shouted already jogging off into the woods.

"Hey Sokka wait for me!" exclaimed Aang landing softly on the ground before sprinting off behind Sokka, Momo flying right behind him.

"Make sure it's edible this time, and that you're not allergic to it Sokka! I'm taking care of you again after last time!" I shouted as an afterthought. The only way I knew he replied was when I heard Toph snickered slightly before standing up and walking over to me.

"So what should we do first Sugar queen?" she asks, leaning against Appa. I rolled my eyes at that. When did Toph ever do work? By that 'we', I'm guessing she means 'me'.

"Well I was thinking that maybe we should get the bed mats rolled out and maybe a fire starting since it's almost time for the sun to be sinking behind the horizon." Toph nodded to herself with a serious face.

"Great! So you won't be needing my help then!" After that she walked off in a separate direction. "I'll be back when the foods ready!"

And just like that, I'm alone, like always. It's tough being the responsible one, never a moment for me to do something for me. Always having to take care of Sokka and his stomach, and when he gets hurt. Having to deal with Aang's small crush on me, and helping him to learn water bending still. Helping Toph out even though she says she doesn't need it and not to treat her special because she's blind.

About an hour later I have everything that I needed to get done finished. The beds are all rolled out and ready for sleep, the fire is going, and im just cleaning up after dinner. Sokka and Aang found some edible mushrooms, carrots and potatoes on the island. I was actually surprised that this island had all those vegetables growing wild.

This island must be a paradise that no one has found yet because if someone knew about it they would never leave. I wonder if maybe after the war is finally over that we could all come back here for a time away from all of our obligations at home and have some peace and quiet. Now wouldn't that be nice... "KATARA! Aang just whipped me with a water whip while he was practicing his waterbending," Sokka yelled. "That wasn't funny Aang!" Sokka shouted. "Boys settle down and come to bed," I replied as she finished putting all the pots and pans away from dinner. After a couple more minutes they were all settled in their nice beds in the grass bordering the beach.

As the gentle crashing of the waves soothed them all to sleep Katara hoped that tomorrow would be a rest and relaxation day exploring the island and what it has to offer before they have to go back to the mainland and jump back into the fast paced rhythm of war.

Zuko's POV

"Nephew go get me some tea leaves will you." Those cursed words. Every time we get to an unknown island or some place that we know is relatively safe I'm always running to get tea leaves. I mean sure, he's old, and my uncle, one of my only relatives that I truly like, but come on! Tea leaves? All the time! It's ridiculous!

"Stupid tea with the stupid leaves," I grumble as I go deeper into the woods. Well one thing this island has it is life. The plants around here are huge, so there has got to be tea leaves around here. I heard a pathetic whine come from deeper in the woods, but ignored it. It was probably some stupid animal. I push aside some branches and get to a clearing that was filled with steam.

"Weird…" I took a step into the steam and I felt my foot sink beneath me with a splash. I look down to see my foot in a puddle. Better yet, a pond more or less. "A…hot spring?"

Katara's POV

I woke up first this morning, which is highly unusual. Normally Aang is up and about practicing airbending or waterbending. Thinking I would take the time that I had to myself to see if I could find a stream or waterfall on the island to take a nice bath since we haven't been able to stop long enough to bathe in a couple days.

To my surprise, not long after looking around in the woods did I find a clearing with a pond in the center. This pond was crystal clear with little vegetation on the bottom so you could see the sand through the bluish tinted water. Trees and bushes surrounded the pond except for two small pathways, one of which I had just entered through. Thinking to myself "this is the perfect spot to get away from everything and just relax and bathe in peace." The boys would not be up for awhile hopefully and there is no one else that knows about this island much less this hot spring.

As I gazed at the rippling water I realized that a light haze of steam was rising from the water. It was a hot spring! I started to take off the top of my dress and then my skirt. As I did this I noticed that the pond wasn't really as small as I thought it was, it had many unique inlets and lagoons that were kept hidden by overhanging shrubbery. As I took off my undergarments and got into the nice warm water. The water was the perfect temperature; luke warm and so soothing to my aching muscles. Sitting on a flying bison all day and listening to Momo and Sokka bicker isn't the funnest situation.

Zuko's POV

When I woke up, uncle was already up and sipping that godforsaken tea, with the tea leaves I got him yesterday.

"Good morning Nephew! This tea is marvelous! Care for a cup?" he asked, smiling happily. I groaned and rolled over. Sleeping on the ground does nothing to a person's back. Thankfully this island has some hot springs.

"I'll have some later Uncle. I'm gonna go to that hot spring I told you about last night first."

"Oh what a grand idea! Enjoy yourself nephew!" he chuckled going back to his tea. I rolled my eyes but grabbed a spare set of clothes, well my only spare set of clothes, and made my way over to the springs.

It took me less time than I thought it would to get back in the steamy clearing. I quickly stripped myself of clothing. By now I was use to seeing all the scars that I had obtained from the past six months after the Angi Kai I had with my father. I sighed and wrapped a small towel around my waist and stepped in. It was the past, well still present too, but these sad thoughts that still plague me are the past.

I knew that the water heated up slightly when I entered like most hot springs that I get in. I made my way over to a spot that looked like I could sit there, and fully relaxed myself, closing my eyes and taking in the peace.

Living so long with war surrounding me from every direction it felt nice to just sit down and relax. For the first time in months did my muscles relax and not stay their usual coiled self, ready to pounce at a moment's notice. I fully submerged myself under the clear blue water for about a minute, before coming back up for air. When I heard a gasp I turned to where the hot spring expanded to see the water peasant that was always with the Avatar. Katara.

I saw her and she saw me. We gazed at each other for what seemed like an eternity, yet in actuality all of a couple seconds. I had never actually noticed how blue her eyes were, like looking into the night sky at the milky way. I got entranced in her glittering blue eyes.

Whoooooosh! I got snapped out of my trace by a bitterly forceful water whip. The gentlemanly thing to do would have been to leave the fight. Am I really that much of a gentleman? No. So I jumped out of the hot spring and onto the bank while delivering a fire ball in her direction. I hadn't remembered that I got into the hot spring without any clothes on so after I sent the fire ball I realized my current state of lacking clothing.

Katara's POV

After I easily deflected Zuko's fireball, I quickly got another water whip ready to pound him after his next fireball which I knew was coming. Although after a couple of seconds of nothing I actually looked at him. I'm sure that my eyes grew wide and my mouth hung just a little lower because he was a site indeed. I have never seen a man naked before, Sokka a couple times yet those were passing glances before he yelled at me for looking. Zuko, on the other and was everything that was masculine, nice toned muscles from his arms to abs from all the fighting he has done in his lifetime. His lower abdomen muscles were also accentuated to create a nice v down to his endowment. His scars were numerous and all over his body varying in size. I didn't pity him for them though, he had earned them one way or another and in fact they sort of suited him in a way.

After I came back to my senses "I don't want to fight you Zuko," I said in a hopefully calming tone.

"Tch, then why are you still in an offensive position?" he growled out. I hesitated for a second there and noticed that I was. I released my hold on the water and stood up straight, not relaxed yet but a little less tense.

"There, better?" I ask, holding my hands out in an 'I surrender' type deal. He looked me up and down, making me blush as I realized my state of undress. Great, just what I needed. Why didn't I think this through? I thought Sokka got all the stupid genes.

Back at the camp where the gang's camp was, Sokka woke up, completely delirious sneezing, before rolling over and falling asleep again. It was too early to be up, and he didn't smell food, so back to the world of dreams where his precious Suki was waiting for him.

"I don't care," he finally said, getting out of his own defensive stance and standing up straight. I sighed in relief, but now there was an awkward pause in the air. Not knowing anything else to do, I got back into the water and laid my head back.

"What do you think you're doing?" I heard him ask. Not moving I turned my gaze on him.

"Relaxing in a hot spring…what does it look like I'm doing?"

"Tch, whatever." I rolled my eyes and turned to look back up in the sky. It really is beautiful. The soft pink hue that it has to show that the sun was slowly rising. It was really odd for me to be up this early anyways…I don't rise with the sun like fire benders…I'm usually sleeping in like Sokka is.

My attention was shifted when I heard a splash of water from the other side where Zuko was. I look over to see him getting in and making himself comfortable again.

"Now what are you doing?" I ask confused. He looks over at me and smirks.

"What does it look like I'm doing? Relaxing in a hot spring."

"You can't use my words against me!" I say sitting up, playfully glaring at him. He shrugged and stretched his arms on the ledge of the hot spring.

"I believe I just did." I huffed, and crossed my arms turning the other way. He chuckled and man wasn't it a smooth sound. Before my mind thought of anything else traitorous I changed the topic.

"What are you doing here anyways? On this island, not here in the hot spring," I clarify when he looked as if he was going to have another smartass answer.

"Same thing you're probably doing. Recuperating," he answered, relaxing his head back, with his eyes half-lidded. His now grown out hair, which was better than the style he had when we first met, fell backwards and barely touch the ground.

I laid back on the ledge as far away from Zuko as possible I decided that having a conversation with him wouldn't be that bad. Plus I could learn what the the Fire Prince and his uncle have planned for the future. Perhaps we could join forces someday and fight the Fire Lord together...

As I came back out of my day dream I realized that Zuko got closer he was half way across the spring and slowly coming closer.

"I never knew how blue your eyes were," he said as he gazed into my eyes with what looked like longing.

"Well I am a waterbender," I snapped back at him. I didn't like him coming closer but he just had an aura about him that was soothing and comforting. I don't know how The Fire Prince of all people could have a calming effect on me, but none the less he did.

"I'm only moving closer to you because the water is hottest right here because this is the spout of the spring, trust me I wouldn't come close to a water peasant for any other reason," Zuko said.

"Good, because I don't want you near me anyway," I retorted. I really hated it when he called me a water peasant.

"Then why don't you leave if you really want to be away from me?" Zuko pointed out. Does he really dislike me that much to want me to leave, or is it just so he can see my full body in the nude?

"Because I was here first, as I recall I was here relaxing before you came and ruined it," I said.

"Well I've had a long couple of days, so I am staying put in this hot spring to relax whether you are here or not. Preferably alone, though I will tolerate your presence because you were in fact here first. " Zuko snobbishly stated.

"Well I'm glad we got the obvious out of the way," I reply rolling my eyes at his childishness. Honestly, with a body like that, and with the strength that he has, why oh why does he have to a childish side to him to go with it? That's just unfair. Why on earth did I have to fall for a guy whose like this. Wait. I'm not falling for him! I can't be, right? I just can't be…

Zuko's POV

I'm such an idiot. Why am I giving her such a hard time? It's not like I'm doing it on purpose or anything, is it because we've been fighting each other for so long and it's just natural. She did freeze me in ice more than I care to remember, but that doesn't bother me as much as it used to. What's going on with me?

"Hey, Zuko…is it really the hottest spot over there?" I look up to catch those passionate blue jewels of hers. There isn't a sapphire that can hold up their beauty, but I shouldn't care about that. I shouldn't care that her mocha skin looks so soft and smooth either, or that her long hair looks silky and fine to the touch despite their wetness at the moment.

"Yea." I was slightly paralyzed as she made her way over here very slowly, still looking me in the eyes. This was unnatural, just like this island. Maybe it's all a dream? But that can't be, I could never remake those eyes in my dreams. They hold too much life, too much spirit to be recreated by me, so this had to be reality.

When she was standing in front me, now having to crane her neck up to continue looking me in the eyes since I was about a head taller than her, did I notice how much my heart was beating. It was going a mile a minute and all the blood was rushing south. For some reason I felt my hand move up to caress her cheek. Her own hand met mine and held it to her cheek.

"You're right. It is warmer here, but is that because of the fault, or because you're warming it?" she asked softly, tilting her head into my hand. With my other hand I put it around her waist and leaned closer smirking.

"What do you think?" I ask just as softly. My voice was getting huskier with each letter as well, as the moment began to effect me. Why am I acting this way? And toward Katara no less? Did I just call her by her actual name?

Never mind these silly questions. They shall all be answered when the time is right, now back to the lovely creature that's in my arms at the moment. Her head fits perfectly under my neck. It was like she was made to fit me. I can just slightly feel her pert breasts push against my chest as I leaned down to look straight into her eyes.

Katara's POV

I could tell that he was a different man. He would never have come this close to me much less be getting ready to kiss me a couple of months ago. I hoped that what I was feeling deep in my core was true and would be echoed with just as much passion. So I took a leap of faith and closed the gap between our lips. He was shocked that I was so forward with my movements as I pressed my body against his while we kissed passionately. To tell you the truth so was I, I have never truly been in love with any boy or man before. I'm sure that my father had suitors waiting for me when I would arrive home, but Zuko, he was just different. I can't believe that I'm actually saying this about him, but it's the truth.

After the few seconds of shock at my forwardness, Zuko eagerly kissed back. He moved his hand that was originally on my cheek and his other hand to my neck as he took initiative and deepened the kiss. His tongue licked my lips asking for permission, not demanding it as I was sorta expecting him to do. As I gave him permission his hands moved down my neck down my shoulders and arms to my waist. As he pulled me closer to his body I felt his erection press against me. This was getting too far too fast, but I didn't want to stop. We continued to kiss passionately in our embrace away from our worlds that were colliding all around us. I could only see Zuko and I standing against all the evil in our world. That's when I knew that I did in fact fall for the Fire Prince in my arms.

Zuko's

This was quickly becoming much more than a relaxation session. The beautiful waterbender in my arms was into this embrace just as much as I was. She was everything that I wanted in a woman. I knew that now. She was beautiful, lush, strong, and not to mention an amazing kisser.

Just as I was thinking that she was the girl for me, she pulled away from me and asked me the question that I knew we would have to answer if this was to continue in the way that I would want it too.

"Zuko, I hate to ruin our lovely embrace, but what is this?" Katara asked me with hopeful eyes.

If this isn't a loaded question then I don't know what is. "Well, I would say that this is two grown teenagers having a very passionate embrace. That I was frankly enjoying before you had to pull away and ask me this question." I stated. She smiled and her cheeks blushed a rosy tint as I said that.

"You know what I mean." Katara said back to me. I know what she wants to hear from me, and the real shock is that I want to tell her that too.

"Well I think it's safe to say that we are attracted to each other. Anything else besides that is so much more complicated than what I want to deal with right now." I told her hoping that she would understand and not take it the wrong way. I want to be a part of her life, not just some random guy that she made out with and that left her. Wait! What am I saying? This girl has me thinking crazy things already. Wow.

"Agreed," she smiled in acceptance. I smiled back before leaning in to get closer, but was stopped again by her pushing me back gently.

"You know this is getting kinda irritating with the whole not being able to kiss you," I scowled. She laughed but kept her hand on my chest to hold me off.

"Sorry sorry. Just one more thing, what about my brother? And the gang?"

"What about those idiots?" I ask confused. She rolled her eyes and wiggled out of my arms. Instantly I felt the loss of her naturally cool body despite the current setting.

"Well, what am I suppose to tell them? 'Hey guys sorry about this, but I just made out with The Fire Prince in the hot springs on this island and we hooked up. I hope you don't mind.' Yea that'll tide over well." She pouted and wrapped her arms around herself, turning her back to me. Why oh why does she have to make things so difficult around here. I step behind her, wrapping my arms around her, pulling her against my chest. I leaned down and rested my chin on her shoulder and exhaled.

"Look, don't think about that yet. Let's just enjoy ourselves for now and we'll think of what to tell them later. I promise." I kiss her temple and turn her around in my arms.

"Good." I nod and go back down to kiss her again when I was pushed back again.

"Now what?" I groan. I'm never going to be able to kiss her again will I?

"It's not the fault that makes this hot spring hot. I bet there isn't even a fault there," she said off handedly as she pointed in the direction we were earlier. I chuckle and pull her closer.

"And if there isn't?" I ask pulling her down so I was sitting on an 'oh so' convenient ledge, with her straddling my lap. She smiled down at me and finally kissed me! I groaned into the kiss as her hands began to play with my hair.

Normal POV

Zuko's hands began to explore the exotic body that was straddling him. Going from her waist, up her sides, to the edges of the towel. The blasted thing had got to go thought Zuko as he gave a slight tug to it. Katara only moaned in reply, which was basically a 'take that thing off of me!' for Zuko. He immediately pulled it off and let it float off into the pool. He felt her breasts better against his chest and her smooth legs that were wrapped around him. His hands went to cup her breasts as they parted for air after a hot and steamy kiss. Katara moaned into the early morning as she felt his warmer than normal hand make contact with her skin. Zuko immediately latched onto her neck, suckling it, biting it. He was marking her.

Katara knew that she couldn't hide this mark from Aang, and much less Sokka, but she didn't care. She loved the way he made her feel so sexy, and really wanted. Zuko's mouth moved down her neck nipping and biting moving his way down to her breasts. He kissed and licked all around it before biting and sucking on her nipples. As he bit her left one he massaged the right. Katara was moaning and getting hotter by the second, while Zuko was enjoying her breasts and biting her all over her chest leaving marks everywhere. Zuko started to move back up her chest and neck, as Katara moved her hands to his neck to pull him into another smoldering hot kiss. The two had as much intensity as if they would have been fighting each other. Zuko moved his hands to grab her bum and pull her closer to him. Even though she was already straddling him, they weren't close enough in his eyes.

Katara's POV

I'm seeing a totally different side of Zuko. One that is kind and devilishly sexy and that wants me, no needs me.

I have to stop this before we get too far and do something that we would both regret. What if I would get pregnant from having sex with him? Then I would be fighting the Fire Lord and his armies carrying the future Fire Prince? Oh yea that would go over well. Plus The Fire Nation would never accept me as the Fire Lady or my son or daughter as a legitimate child of the Fire Lord.

"Zuko? We need to stop this before it gets too far, and we both regret it." I told him. He looked at me with such sadness in his eyes, like I was saying no to everything that he was offering, not just the physical aspects of it. "Believe me I don't want to stop either, but look at the repercussions of our proposed actions. It's not worth it." I regretfully said.

"I guess your right Katara," he said with a sigh of regret.

"You actually called me Katara," I said with disbelief. He really was changing right in front of my eyes. I truly liked the new Zuko that was emerging from his hard, cruel exterior.

"Well you've been calling me Zuko…" he trailed off, looking the other way. I still saw the slight blush stain his cheeks and it was, dare I say it, adorable!

"Aww, you're so cute!" I giggle kissing his cheek that was closes. He scoffed and turned back around.

"I don't do cute." I rolled my eyes, shaking my head before sliding off his lap and into the water, making sure I was fully covered. Sure we might have made out and he went to grope city, but I was still embarrassed. I turned my back to him, and saw my towel all the way on the other side of the spring. How the heck did it get all the way over there.

"Sure you don't…" I reply slowly making my way over to my towel. Instead of hearing a scathing reply back from Zuko, I hear another voice that was completely unwelcome right about now.

"Katara! Where are you!" I heard Aang shout from a few feet away. I froze in my spot as I was about to grab my towel. I heard a slight growl from behind and would have passed it off for an animal if it wasn't for the fact that I heard it come closer followed by splashing noises. I turned around to see Zuko behind me with a dark expression on.

"Zuko you need to hide!" I hiss at him, quickly wrapping myself back up. I heard Aang getting closer so I did the only thing I could do with a jealous, hard-headed prince that doesn't know how to cooperate. I quickly pulled him under the water right when Aang stepped through some bushes.

"There yo…u…a…r…e…" he said trailing off once he realized what I was doing.

"AANG! GET OUT OF HERE!" I shout snapping a water whip at him before he was able to see Zuko's hazy outline under the water. Aang jumped about five feet in the air before disappearing, shouting back how sorry he was. Great, now I'm going to have to deal with him and his blushing self later, as he tries to flirt with me. Just great.

"Is that a customary thing for you to do? Use a water whip whenever your bath is interrupted by a guy?" I heard Zuko ask as he got out of the water. I shrugged.

"It varies actually, but I can tell you all about that later. I need to get back to the camp."

There you have it! Tell us what you think!